La Liga giants Barcelona can reportedly afford to sign Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling in one of the upcoming transfer windows.
The 26-year-old faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium and has struggled to displace summer signing Jack Grealish in the starting lineup, beginning on the bench seven times in 10 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
Barcelona are one club who are understood to be interested in signing Sterling, and although they have been struggling financially, Mundo Deportivo reports that the Catalan club 'have the money' to purchase the winger in January, and they are confident that the deal can be agreed.
The report adds that the summer departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, two of the club's highest earners, as well as 'further behind-the-scenes work' has helped ease the strain on Barca's finances and will give them more flexibility in the transfer market.
Sterling has less than two years remaining on his Man City contract and talks between both parties over an extension have failed to progress, as the winger is said to be holding out for around £350,000 per week.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are reportedly another club considering a potential swoop for Sterling, who has scored 115 goals and provided 88 assists in 302 appearances for the Citizens since joining the club from Liverpool in 2015.
Oliver Thomas
